The Secret Land of Otrâlmondé [1 | The Other Realms Series]

Chapter Eighteen

Stella leaned against the edge of the gondola as she took in the scenery around her. People strode down the streets and crossed over bridges, their footsteps being soundless and swift. Hardly any of them chitchatted as they went their ways; those who did looked like they were discussing important matters rather than something more lighthearted. Those who had no immediate destination rested by leaning against the cement fences, which lined the banks of the canals, or took shelter indoors. The only chairs that she spotted belonged to cafés, bistros, and restaurants, and they were reserved for patrons. It then occurred to her that she had not seen a public bench in Mondéum since the first day she set foot in the city. Maybe that's why they're always in a hurry, she wondered. There's no place to relax here.

Crackle. Stella turned her head to see where the sound was coming from. A small group of children was gathering at a park, fireworks flying from some of their hands. "Cool," she breathed. She did not see smoke rising from their fingertips, so they likely did not have pyrokinesis. Then that meant... they were using lumokinesis? Did that mean that Stella could do what they did? She glanced at her fingers and concentrated. Instead of a speck of light, a spark of electricity buzzed between her fingers. She huffed. Maybe she would have to wait a while before she could try.

She lifted her head and continued to look at her environment. She paid more attention to the shops. Signs were either hung on windows, nailed to doors, or attached to horizontal rods that jutted from the walls. Mannequins dressed in Mondéne fashion—which mostly consisted of long coats and flat shoes—posed behind the windows of clothing stores. Bracelets, brooches, and metal bands lined the displays of jewelry boutiques. Up ahead, she caught sight of a store that she initially thought sold toiletries and bath salts. She glanced at the sign. "Apothecary," she read aloud, confused. What's an apothecary? She squinted at the windows. The shelves were stocked with bottles of various liquids. Some of them were clear, like water; others were colored, like dye; and some were viscous, like honey. She took a closer look. Inside, a woman purchased a vial of liquid that she had just picked from a shelf. She then proceeded to drink its contents before disposing of the bottle and exiting the store. A potion shop? she hypothesized.

Stella sniffed. A minty and flowery aroma diffused in the air. She turned her head and traced the scent to a café that was sandwiched between two shops. A waitress was serving mugs of tchan to a table occupied by three people.

"What are you looking at?" Jon asked her.

"Just looking around at anything."

"Anything interesting?"

"Um, everything?" she said, an awkward chuckle escaping her lips. She hoped that it was a good answer.

It seemed to be so, for he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, this place is cool. I mean, look"—he pointed upwards—"red sky."

"Yeah. It's not completely red though. It looks a bit purple too?"

"Red, purple, basically not blue. I wonder if the other realms have reddish skies."

"Me too."

Stella lifted her gaze and admired the sky above her. Earthen nights were blackish blue, like indigo dye. The Mondéne sky was a deep and velvety red, like wine. Golden stars danced overhead, and though they were bright, they were not enough to illuminate Mondéum's thoroughfares. That job was left to the metal streetlights, which flooded the city with pale yellow.

Jon reached into his bag and pulled out a sketchpad and pencil. He laid the sketchpad on his lap and held his pencil in his left hand.

"Wait," Stella said, "I thought we're not allowed to do that?"